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  • munky

    Aperture's future in doubt?

    By munky, in OSx86,

    ThinkSecret is reporting that Apple have dismissed or reassigned many of the engineers which formed its Aperture team.
     
    Despite a sizeable marketing campaign, and plenty of hype, Aperture was released last November to mixed reviews. Respected tech site Ars Technica concluded "At this stage Aperture is a big, expensive misfire and considering the hefty price tag, I can't think of a reason to recommend it."
     
    Apple recently released v1.1 of Aperture, which addressed many of the more glaring flaws of 1.0, and also dropped the price tag from $499 to $299, and offered existing users a $200 Apple Store coupon - some say a concession to the poor quality of 1.0
     
    If Think Secret's sources are to be beleived, the image processing engine was taken away from the Aperture team some time ago, and handed to the Shake and Motion teams to salvage 'as best they can'. This work is alleged to be the foundation of the 1.1 release.
     
    What do you think? Is Aperture worth saving? Should a new engineering team be formed for 2.0, or should the thing just go the way of the cube - an expensive, pretty flop.
  • Swad

    Pimp my Parallels

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    Ok, so you know how you've always wished that you could switch between OS X and XP with that cool little cube effect in OS X? Well, ok, maybe that's not at the top of your priority list... but if it is you're in luck.
     
    A developer has created a sweet little add-on to the Parallels virtualization software to allow users to change operating systems without sacrificing the eye candy. Best of all, it's open source.
     
    The developer has apparently offered to give Parallels the code - GPL free - to incorporate into the final release of Parallels. As per this thread in their forum, the Parallels developers have something like this in the works for "the next public version."
     
    Just another one of those great OS X tricks you can use to wow your PC friends...
     

  • Swad
    What would you like to see in the next generation of our site?
     
    Like many of you, the staff of this site has some exciting plans for this summer. But instead of hitting the beach (which we may also do), a lot of our energy is going to be devoted to updating and upgrading this site.
     
    We’ve got some great ideas – like a renovated (and innovative) news section and a new skin – but we need your input!
     
    What are some of the things you like about the current way the site is? What are some features you’d like to see us add?
     
    Your ideas greatly help us in the direction we take the site. Thanks!
  • Swad

    Where is Maxxuss?

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    Maxxuss has disappeared. The sites he once updated with patches and materials are either outdated or offline. He has not visited our forum since March 18th. Letters are left unresponsive. It seems the man who was rapidly building his name as one of our time's most notorious hackers is simply gone.
     
    So what happened? There have been several times in the past when he has been dormant or otherwise quiet – in these cases, we haven’t reported on it since it is normal for there to be a lull in the action. Sensationalism is something we try to keep to a minimum.
     
    But this is more than an extended vacation. OS X 10.4.6 has come and gone… yet no word from the once-resident OSx86 hacker. Indeed, others have now taken his place in releasing patches for the new builds.
     
    There are a few possibilities. It’s conceivable (although somewhat unlikely) that he simply decided to leave the hacking of OS X on PCs to others. He also could have been hired by Apple. Or sued. Or jailed.
     
    What’s most surprising is that we have heard nothing in so long. Granted, hiring and arresting are both good reasons to break communications, but the whole situation is somewhat odd. We haven’t even heard anything about his other hacking exploits, like we did when he broke the Skype-Intel collusion.
     
    So wither Maxxuss? Who knows. He is a sterling example of a controversial figure – a Robin Hood loved by many and hated by some.
     
    While the debate about your work rages on, Maxxuss, here’s hoping this article finds you well.
     
    [Digg it!]
  • Swad

    What is your Mac workflow?

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    If you're like me, you have a handful of apps you use everyday to complete the task at hand: Photoshop, Firefox, Word, etc. Some of these I love using - some I'd rather not. On the whole, I'm always open for using a new app if the benefits seem great.
     
    For many new OSx86 users, the old Mac workflow they knew so well in the old days of PPC are gone, due to new apps or non-universal ones.
     
    So in this transitional phase, let us know: what is your everyday Mac workflow? How has the list of your applications changed in the past 6 months to a year (even if you're not on an Macintel)? Got an obscure utility we should all know about? Tell us about it!
  • Swad

    Will Apple Drop Mach?

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    There has been a lot of talk in recent months about the sense in Apple keeping its Mach kernel, a remnant of Steve’s NeXT days. While it certainly presents advantages, its microkernel architecture has serious drawbacks. (Check out that link to get up to speed on the debate)
     
    I, Cringely has an interesting take on Windows on Macs and thinks that Boot Camp is a sign that Apple will be dropping the Mach kernel with Leopard.


    Don't be surprised, either, to see that OS X 10.5 has a new kernel, finally giving up Mach and a big piece of its NeXTstep heritage. I write this for one thing -- because OS X has kernel problems and needs some help, especially with swap space. I say it also because of the departure of Avie Tevanian, Apple's chief software technology officer, and the guy who hung onto Mach for so long.
     
    I have no insider knowledge here, but it isn't hard to imagine an instance where Avie's favored position with Steve Jobs was finally undermined by someone pointing out just these problems, so Avie had to go. That's the way it is with Steve, who sees his people as either part of the solution or part of the problem.
    This is a very interesting idea and makes quite a bit of sense. While Apple has improved the speed of the kernel over recent years, it’s still not as fast as it may become by switching architectures. Also, the longer release cycle for Leopard may be so that Apple engineers have time to bring a new kernel up to snuff.
     
    It seems that almost every aspect of Apple’s future is up for debate at this point. Where do you stand on the microkernel - good idea or a Mach(o) mistake by Steve?
  • Deetman
    Due to a few recent, isolated incidents, we are actively scanning and globally banning all users that connect to the MacSpeak network using open proxies. It is unfortunate that we have to do this due to abuse from a few users, but to ensure a quality experience on the MacSpeak network, it is a necessary step.
     
    For a list of all banned open proxies (proxies that are open for use by any user), please visit http://www.blitzed.org/
     
    Once again, sorry for any inconvenience, but we must enforce this rule. If you have a specific reason why you can't connect to the network, please PM cmoski.
     
    If you haven't checked out our top notch IRC network with more OSx86 geniuses then you can shake an IOKit at, see us at:
     
    IRC Server: irc.macspeak.net
    Channel: #osx86
    New to IRC? Click here!
     
    Thanks!
  • Swad

    Merom in a Mac Mini?

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    You know that desire of many teenage boys to get a little MG or old Fiesta and drop a huge Ferrari engine inside?
     
    That's a lot like this. MacRumors lets us know about a rumor (hey, that's a surprise) going around about the ability to use the up-coming Merom processor in the current Intel Mac Minis.
     
    We're not sure how practical this is, especially since some of the other Mini components (like the graphics) are really the parts that make it a low end machine.
     
    Nevertheless... bragging rights count for a lot, and this kind of upgrade would certainly deserve them.
  • Ouch

    Multicoloured Macbooks?

    By Ouch, in OSx86,

    Bored of Apple's bland ivory colour scheme, the new macbook may be just the Intel notebook your looking for:
     
    Source: The Register
     
    " Apple's upcoming Intel-based iBooks - now firmly believed to ship under the MacBook brand - may see the company once again offer the product in a range of coloured cases not seen now four more than four years.
     
    It's highly likely that the MacBook will debut in shiny white, but sources cited by AppleInsider suggest the machines may come in other hues too.
     
    Apple's flirtation with colour began in May 1998 when it launched the original iMac. At the time it was only available in blue and white, but the following January, Apple launched a range of colours, and subsequent versions of the all-in-one, CRT-equipped computer sported new shades, until Apple introduced the all-white LCD model in January 2002. "
     
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